7th Retford (St Swithun’s) Scout Group are very pleased to announce that they have had two grants from ‘Great Places for Great Scouting’ to replace their central heating boiler and contract carpeting throughout the Scout Headquarters. They also received a grant for bench seating for camps from a Bassetlaw District Councillor, Councillor Matthew Callingham, and a donation of some carpet from Bingham Carpets for putting underneath their stacks of chairs.
The group has had a very busy 2018 and 2019 looks just as exciting. During 2018, just some of the activities they took part in were a sleepover at The Deep in Hull, the NESST Challenge Walks, winter camp and pack holiday at John’s Lee Wood near Leicester, Mega Moot County Camp at Walesby, a local camp at Laughterton in Lincolnshire and the Bassetlaw District Cub Scout Camp at Calverton, Nottingham. Summer Camp at Hesley Wood campsite in Chapeltown, a day visit to Cliffhanger Festival in Sheffield, trip to Doncaster Aeroventure and a scuba diving session at Hillsborough Leisure Centre.
Co-ordination of the Retford Area Scout Christmas Post was from the Retford headquarters and their members delivered 4,001 cards, with the other three Scout Groups delivering 1,214 between them. They are very grateful to the local businesses who sold Christmas Post stamps on their behalf. Without them the scheme would not happen.
In 2019 they have already had a team take part in the NESST Cub Walk, Winter Camp for Cubs and Scouts at Cleethorpes, Rotary Swimathon and a visit from 7th Heaven Hedgehog Rescue to name just a few activities.
One of Retford’s Scouts has been to the County Youth Forum held at Robin Hood Campsite near Mansfield to represent Bassetlaw. Three members (one Cub and two Scouts) attended a recent District Youth Forum held at the Retford headquarters. Already this year, one Scout is waiting to be awarded his Chief Scout Gold Award, the highest award in the Scout section, and two Cubs are waiting for their Chief Scout Silver Award, the highest in the Cub section. Some Young Leaders have recently completed their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award, this goes a long way towards the Chief Scout Platinum Award.
The Scout Marching Band continues to meet in the Retford premises for their rehearsals. Currently, they are preparing for the various St George’s Day parades in the area.
Without the continued support of all of the Young Leaders, Adult Leaders, Occasional Helpers and Committee Members, the Scout Group would not continue to exist. They were first formally registered in December 1930. Their oldest member, who is still registered as an Occasional Helper with the group, has over 60 years’ service in 7th Retford. Once a Scout, always a Scout!
If you are interested in finding out more about Scouting in general, please visit the national website, www.scouts.org.uk, or specifically Scouting in Retford, please call 01777 704835 or email 7thretford@gmail.com.